(1875-03-24) Contracted
Contracted
Summary: Lillian and Cervantes discuss the past, as well as the way forward.
Date: 2019-03-24
Related: Siege Logs
NPCs: None
Players:
Cervantes  Lillian  

County Murias
Within the castle and down in the city.
1875-03-24

It had been perhaps a few months since the Queen's rescue. In that time, Cervantes was rather annoyed at the news of Ludovic joining the Empire after his public excommunication by the King. But, rather than engage in politics, Cervantes and Lillian were both in Murian lands, in the resident fortress in which Cervantes had named Meduseld.

He is currently looking at the window, no armor worn nor sword nearby, but rather gazing out to see his people training their young in military combat, or watching the marketplace thrive, or the guards talking on the walls.

But every now and then he'd look to see how Lillian was doing. He had Bourdeaux medics on her almost constantly, as if something would happen, and he was paranoid. But, aren't all loving husbands? Nevertheless, he eventually enters the room. "Lillian, how are you doing?"

-

Lillian, looking up from where she was working curled up in a corner of the loveseat that was set near the fire, offered her husband a smile, "I'm fine, love." And she was. She still had aches and pains that were slow to go away, but she had been well-tended and had had the best care that could be provided. "Spring is finally here. I think I'd like to be able to start getting out a bit more."

-

Cervantes looked pleased to hear this. So pleased, in fact, that he approached his wife and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead, then her lips. Both were quite brief. "I believe that can be arranged. We are in mostly peace time, much to the dismay of my people." Arkanin's loved a good fight.

"That said, perhaps we could go for a walk through the marketplace? Get you some lovely fresh air."

-

Lillian accepted the kisses with a soft smile, returning them as she could, "It will not be peace for long, love. When the passes begin to thaw, you will soon find your hands full with the Qatunax." There was something of worry in her tone, then. As much as she believed in her husband's abilities, the forces of the enemy were great, "If you feel so inclined. I know that you've been wanting to go down and see your men."

-

Cervantes takes his seat beside Lillian for a very brief moment, nodding once. "I know." he takes a breath. "By then, we should be able to restock the army and arm them with better experience and weapons. The past few battles have made them hardened warriors, and have made their ancestors proud." Cervantes smiles. "I do intend to, yes. I also intended to throw a grand feast for them, but I haven't quite found the time."

-

Lillian leaned to the side, taking comfort from her husband's proximity for a moment, before she sat back up, setting aside the embroidery she was working on. It was not at all her favourite task, but it helped to keep her fingers nimble, "Then walk be down to the market, and if we pass the soldiers on the way, then all the better. And perhaps we can look to trying to find the time to hold a feast."

-

Cervantes is leaned upon, and Cervantes rests his head on her own, happy to just keep her that close. "I do like this idea." Cervantes smiles happily before he kisses her cheek. "Would you prefer to go now or later?" his hand rests on her knee. He didn't want to have her do things she was unprepared for. And he knows first hand how much just sprinting out of the gate is horrible for one's health.

-

Lillian turned her head, so that instead of the cheek Cervantes had intended to kiss, he got her lips instead. A flash of a smile, as she rose from her seat to go and retrieve her cloak, "I would like to go now, while we still have the warmth of the day. I have no doubt the vultures," but that was gently said, "will descend on me before the evening meal."

-

Admittedly, the lips was a surprise! But one that Cervantes welcomed. He let it linger for as long as she wanted, before he rose to his feet with her. "Very well." Approaching the opposite wall to attain his cloak, he'll soon return to Lillian's side. "If you would wish for me to send them away, you have but to say the word." even though it would cause havoc on his peace of mind.

-

"I know that, Van. But I don't mind them, generally. They've been good company, and they bring me news from home." Lillian settled the cloak around her shoulders, before she turned to pull open the door and lead the way out of their room and towards the stairs that would lead them down out of the castle and along the road towards the market.

-

"Do you miss home, my love? If so, then I would be glad to take you there. Even I must attend Bordeaux business, as you know." Cervantes gives her a loving wink, reaching for her hand to hold it. He had no problem whatsoever reminding all that He's her husband, and she's his wife. Nevertheless, he lets silence ensue, that is, until they make it to the beautiful day outside.

-

"Of course I do." Lillian did not speak much, as they descended, instead waiting until they had found the road and the open air to continue, "I will always miss home. And you know how much I have always enjoyed the sight of the fields in spring as they begin to blossom. But this is home now as well, and I have come to love its hard edges and sharp peaks." Lillian allowed hr hand to be taken, intertwining her fingers with his, "And I do not simply mean its Lord." There was a smile though, at the jest, ad as they walked, she turned her face slightly to catch the sun on her cheeks.

-

Cervantes seems to quite literally blush at Lillian's jest, his hand squeezing hers oh so delicately. "Well, I do enjoy the rolling plains of your home. the way the flowers seem to always be in constant bloom, and the general ferocious kindness of it's people." Cervantes takes a moment to enjoy the fresh air. "But, my heart, where you are? My home is there also."

-

Lillian laughed, as she saw the blush, moving closer to tuck herself in against Cervantes' side as they walked. The were the lord and lady of Murias, and they had never sought to hide the affection they shared with and for each other in the face of their people. "Perhaps we will make a short trip there soon. I am better, Van, even if I am not completely back to myself." She offered a smile at his affirmation, "I know. It is the same with me. That is what makes this as muxh a home as anywhere. Even when we were nearly lost in lands south, it was still home."

-

Cervantes was more than happy to have Lillian closer to him, receiving the scent of her brilliant red hair, the affection that was clear as day was perfect in every way. "Perhaps we will." he smiles so happily then. "As long as I have you." Cervantes leans over, and definitely aiming for the lips this time, gives Lillian a gentle one, brief as it is. Though as they walk, Men and women who are passed by them bow their heads in reverence to their Lord and Lady.

-

Lillian walked in companionable silence for a time, taking in the warmth of the sun and the scent of spring, before she spoke again, "Van, you know if I were faced with such a situation again, I would not hesitate, even for a moment." She knew the fact that she had been so deeply injured in his defense weighed on him.

-

Cervantes seems to let out a slow exhale of breath. "I know, my heart. But if I had only been closer to you, you wouldn't have been hurt." It's very clear that Cervantes still bears the guilt of every wound she suffered that night, even though they both knew the risks.

-

"It was a battle, it was war. Such things happen in war, you know that as well as I do. And we both survived and fulfilled our duties to the kingdom and her Queen. What more can we ask for than that? Is that not what we pledged to do when we took our spurs?" Lillian was not, it seemed as determined to blame her husband as he was to blame himself.

-

Cervantes nods. "I know. But that doesn't change what I can and cannot do to protect you. We survived, but not unscathed, and we completed our oaths at the same time. But not without cost." Cervantes pauses in his step, looking her in the eyes. "I still failed to keep you safe, like I promised."

-

"I was safe, Van. And you destroyed all of the men who attacked us. Rather gloriously, I might add." Lillian shook her head, tugging Van's arm to lead him down along the branch in the road that would take him past his men before they could turn back to enter the market.

-

Cervantes looks to Lillian. "I apologize…I rarely lose my temper like that. The last time I did that was back when my father was still alive. During the great war." Cervantes shakes his head though, but then he's tugged down the way. But then he sees his men, training hard in the area. Some of them with their wives and children training with them as well. The warrior society prospers. "Hello brothers!" Cervantes greets, and all the soldiers, women and children included (or at least the children trained in such) all wave and bow before the lord and lady.

-

Lillian smiled, as she heard the greeting from Cervantes and the response from his people. "Why do't you go and visit with them, Van? I am certain they would be glad to see you and perhaps gain some lessons from you. I will he happy to wait here while you work."

-

Cervantes looks at Lillian. "Are you certain?" he lets her answer what he knows she will, before he takes a breath. "Very well." a kiss is given to his bride, before he makes his way to his soldiers. "Elpiodos! Tell me, what news of how you all been training?" suddenly, there's great laughter, and all the men seem to be having a great time, a few women too.

-

Lillian settled against the fence that marked off the training ground, hands pulling her cloak around herself as she watched Cervantes make his way over towards soldiers, a smile warming her face as she watched him at work. Clearly, she was glad to see him out and about where he belonged.

-

In fact, one of the things that Cervantes does, is that he's introduced to one of his soldiers sons. Shaking the boy's hand, he has him show him a lunge with his spear. Afterwards, Cervantes shows him how to do it, making a strong thrust and smiling at the boy. "Just like that. Can you do that lad?" the boy nods and Cervantes hands the spear over. Even some of the adults gather around, doing multiple jabs with the spear with the child.

A warrior in the making.

Soon enough, Cervantes returns to the fence to join his wife. "Hello my bride."

-

Lillian's expression softened, as she watched Van with the boy, who was, in looks and colouring so much like Cervantes, who was, himself, the image of the people of this land come to life. Fr his blood was Arkanin blood, undiluted. Her smile returned, as he walked back to her, "Hello, husband. How fares your newest and youngest," though that was not strictly true, as there were boys and girls younger than the one to whom Cervantes had given instruction, on the field, " Arkanin warrior?"

-

Cervantes smiled as he looked upon Lillian. "He fares well. His footing was a small ways off, but his thrust is true and strong. A young warrior in the making. He will make his father and mother proud one day." He smiles, looking upon his wife. "Do you think we should…." he looks hesitant to ask.

-

"Ah, but he is still young, and he has instructors who are strong and true and skilled in passing on their knowledge. And he has a Lord to look up to who sets an example that many can strive for but nearly none shall match." Cervantes question brought a furrow to her brow, "I'm sorry, Van, do you think we should what?"

-

Cervantes takes a breath, looking to Lillian as she speaks such kind words to him. "I thank you for your faith in me, Lillian. As for my question…well, I.." he furrows his brow, pushes away his uncertainty. "Do you think, now that we are away from the warfront, we should maybe..try for a child?" He looks Lillian in the eyes then, wanting to gauge her reaction.

-

Lillian's expression, once she heard the question was guarded, considering, thoughtful. It was not displeased, but more…overly cautious. "Are we away from the warfront, Van? With the Qatunax on our doorstep, and the Empire not far behind?" For she had been privy to only a small amount of what he and Evae had discussed. "It seems the world finds a new war each time one ends." And yet, "But it does not do to give in to despair. Nor to break Faith with the One, who gave us both the power to create life, as well as to take it." Her lips curved into a smile, some of her impish humour there, "And I have not forgotten that the Duchess' price for allowing me to marry you was a heir for Murias." But that was lightly said, "And who am I to refuse the wishes of a Duchess?" She nodded, "Yes, we can try."

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